LIQUID SEPARATOR

Abstract

A liquid separator (10) for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture has a housing (12), an inlet (14), an outlet (16), a flow path (18) connecting the inlet (14) to the outlet (16), and a separation device (20), arranged in the flow path (18), for liquid separation, wherein a diverting element (22) is arranged adjacent to the separation device (20). Said diverting element separates an inlet region (24) of the housing (12), into which the inlet (14) opens, and an outlet region (26) of the housing (12), from which the outlet (16) opens, from one another, wherein the flow path (18) extends from the inlet region (24) via a low-flow region (46) into the outlet region (26).

Claims

1. A liquid separator for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, the liquid separator having a housing (12), an inlet (14), an outlet (16), a flow path (18) connecting the inlet (14) to the outlet (16), and a separation device (20), arranged in the flow path (18), for liquid separation, characterized in that a diverting element (22) is arranged adjacent to the separation device (20), which diverting element (22) separates an inlet region (24) of the housing (12), into which the inlet (14) opens, and an outlet region (26) of the housing (12), out of which the outlet (16) opens, from one another, wherein the flow path (18) extends from the inlet region (24) via a low-flow region (46) into the outlet region (26).

2. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diverting element (22) extends flatly and has a central longitudinal plane (28), wherein the separation device (22) has a central longitudinal axis (30), and wherein the central longitudinal axis (30) of the separation device (20) and the central longitudinal plane (28) of the diverting element (22) intersect at an angle of less than 90, and in particular at an angle of 30-60.

3. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diverting element (22) is fastened to the housing (12) in particular via a mechanical plug connection (32).

4. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separation device (20) has, at its end facing away from the inlet (14), a fastening portion (34), wherein the diverting element (22) has a holding portion (36) which corresponds to and holds the fastening portion (34).

5. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a collar-like, self-contained insert element (40) is arranged in the interior of the housing (12) and projects into the inlet region (24) and, together with a wall (13) of the housing (12), defines a flow channel (42) which connects the inlet region (24) to the low-flow region (46) arranged above a collecting region (44), so that liquid collected in the inlet region (24) can flow through the flow channel (42) into the collecting region (44).

6. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that in each case several ribs (41), which are spaced apart from one another, are configured on several or on all sides, which face the wall (13) of the housing (12), of the insert element (40), in order to distance the insert element (40) from the wall (13).

7. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that several slots (50) extending along a longitudinal direction of the slot are each configured on a side (48), facing away from the inlet region (24), of the insert element (40) and/or on the sides of the insert element (40) which extend to the inlet region (24) from the side facing away from the inlet region (24), the cross-section of said slots extending in each case to the wall (13) of the housing (12).

8. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the insert element (40) can extend with a portion into the outlet region (26) of the housing (12) and/or that the diverting element (22) extends with a portion of its free end into the interior of the insertion element (40).

9. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separation device (20) is designed as a fabric separator having at least one fabric section (21) for liquid separation.

10. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the separation device (20) has two fabric sections (21) which are arranged symmetrically, relative to the central longitudinal axis (30), in the separation device (20), wherein the fabric sections (21) together enclose an angle of 2 to 30.

11. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that a liquid reservoir (45) and/or a fill-level sensor (47) is arranged in the collecting region (44) of the housing (12).

12. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that a cover sleeve (60) is provided, by means of which the fill-level sensor (47), starting from its free end over its predominant free length, is covered.

13. The liquid separator (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that one or more surge elements (66) extend in the collecting region (44) of the housing (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] This disclosure is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference signs, but, where applicable, only once. In the drawings:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a liquid separator in a perspectival view;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a section through the liquid separator from FIG. 1 along the intersecting axis II-II in FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a section through the liquid separator from FIG. 2 along the intersecting axis in FIG. 2;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged partial detail of the liquid separator from FIG. 2;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a further enlarged partial detail of the liquid separator from FIG. 2;

[0045] FIGS. 6a,b show an embodiment of the liquid separator from FIG. 1 with a fill-level sensor (FIG. 6a) or with a fill-level sensor having a heating element (FIG. 6b); and

[0046] FIGS. 7a,b show an embodiment of the liquid separator from FIG. 1 with a fill-level sensor and surge elements in a longitudinal section (FIG. 7a) and a cross-section according to the intersecting axis VII-VII (FIG. 7b).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a liquid separator for separating liquid from a gas-liquid mixture, which is denoted as a whole by the reference sign 10.

[0048] The liquid separator 10 has a housing 12 which extends along a vertical axis H of the housing. The housing 12 can be made of plastic. In the example, the housing 12 has a first housing part 12 and a second housing part 12, which abut against one another at a separating plane TE. In principle, embodiments having more than two housing parts and a differently oriented separating plane are also conceivable.

[0049] The liquid separator 10 has an inlet 14, an outlet 16, and a flow path 18 connecting the inlet 14 to the outlet 16 (ref. signs 18, 18, 18). The liquid separator 10 can be flowed through by a gas-liquid mixture moving along the flow path 18 (liquid-loaded gas flow). When passing through the liquid separator 10 along the flow path 18, the gas-liquid mixture can be dehumidified, i.e., liquid can be separated from the gas-liquid mixture. In the example, the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 together enclose an angle of 90 (not shown for reasons of clarity).

[0050] In the example, the liquid separator 10 has an outlet valve 15 and a flush valve 17, each of which is fluidically connected to the outlet 16, as explained above. In addition, in the example, the liquid separator 10 has a liquid outlet 19 with a controllable discharge valve 23 in order to discharge collected liquid from a collecting region 44 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, the liquid separator 10 has a fill-level sensor 47, by means of which a liquid fill-level in the collecting region 44 can be determined.

[0051] FIGS. 2 through 5 show the internal structure of the liquid separator 10.

[0052] The interior of the liquid separator 10 has an inlet region 24, an outlet region 26, the collecting region 44, and, above this, a low-flow region 46. In its interior, the liquid separator 10 also has a separation device 20, a diverting element 22, and an insert element 40 (cf. FIG. 2).

[0053] The separation device 20 is arranged in the flow path 18, and the actual liquid separation takes place thereon. The inlet 14 opens into the inlet region 24 of the housing 12, and, specifically, directly into the separation device 20. The diverting element 22, in the sense of a partition wall, separates the inlet region 24 and the outlet region 26, from which the outlet 16 opens out. The flow path 18 or the liquid-gas mixture flowing along the flow path 18 passes through the low-flow region 46 on the way from the inlet region 24 into the outlet region 26, since the liquid-gas mixture cannot flow through the diverting element 22 or the partition wall and is thus forced to take the detour via the low-flow region.

[0054] The diverting element 22 extends flatly and has a central longitudinal plane 28, wherein the separation device 22 has a central longitudinal axis 30, and wherein the central longitudinal axis 30 of the separation device 20 and the central longitudinal plane 28 of the diverting element 22 intersect at an angle of less than 90here, in the example, at approximately 50, as explained above. In the example, the diverting element 22 is fastened to the housing 12 via a mechanical plug connection 32, as explained above.

[0055] The separation device 20 has, at its end facing away from the inlet 14, a fastening portion 34, wherein the diverting element 22 has a holding portion 36 which corresponds to and holds the fastening portion 34 (cf. FIGS. 2 through 4).

[0056] The collar-like, self-contained insert element 40 is arranged in the interior of the housing 12. The insert element 40 projects into the inlet region 24 and, together with a wall 13 of the housing 12, defines a flow channel 42 which connects the inlet region 24 to the low-flow region 46 arranged above the collecting region 44, so that liquid collected in the inlet region 24 can flow through the flow channel 42 (shadow channel) into the collecting region 44 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). In the example, the flow channel 42 is designed as a gap 43 extending around the insert element 40 (circumferential gap 43 between the insert element 40 and the housing wall 13).

[0057] In the example, multiple and spaced ribs 41 are formed on each side of the insert element 40 facing the wall 13 of the housing 12 to space the insert element 40 from the wall 13.

[0058] On a side 48, facing away from the inlet region 24, of the insert element 40 (opposite side) and optionally on the sides of the insert element 40 which extend to the inlet region 24 from the side facing away from the inlet region 24 (side surfaces), several slots 50 extending along a longitudinal direction of the slot are configured in each case, the cross-section of said slots extending in each case to the wall 13 of the housing 12 (i.e., towards the outside) (cf. FIGS. 2 and 5). The slots 50 can have a V-shaped cross-section, as explained above.

[0059] In the example, the insert element 40 extends with a portion into the outlet region 26 of the housing 12 (cf. FIG. 2). The diverting element 22 extends with a portion of its free end into the interior of the insert element 40 (cf. FIG. 2).

[0060] The separation device 20 is designed as a fabric separator with two fabric sections 21 for liquid separation in the example. The fabric sections 21 are arranged symmetrically, relative to the central longitudinal axis 30, in the separation device 20, wherein the fabric sections 21 together enclose an angle of 2 to 30 (cf. FIG. 3).

[0061] A drainage slot 25 is formed on the separation device 20, which slot connects the interior of the separation device 20 to a chamber, located outside the interior of the separation device 20, in the housing 12 of the liquid separator 10 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). In this way, separated liquid, e.g., water drops or a water film, can be discharged from the separation device 20for example, towards the flow channel 42.

[0062] The fill-level sensor 47 mentioned above has, in the example, a perforated metal cap as a protective element 49 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 6a). Optionally, the liquid separator 10 can have an electric heating element 51, by means of which the collecting region 44 or the liquid reservoir 45 can be heated (cf. FIG. 6b). The heating element 51 together with the fill-level sensor 47 can be configured as a unit or assembly. The heating element 51 can be attached to the fill-level sensor 47 such that the collecting region 44 can be heated via the fill-level sensor 47.

[0063] Optionally, a cover sleeve 60 can be provided, by means of which the fill-level sensor 47, starting from its free end (facing the low-flow region 46), is covered over its predominant free length (cf. FIGS. 7a and 7b). This increases the accuracy of the fill-level sensor 47, since sloshing movements are reduced.

[0064] One or more surge elements 66 can also optionally extend in the collecting region 44 of the housing 12 in each case flatly along one plane. The surge elements 66 can optionally be connected to the cover sleeve 60 (cf. FIGS. 7a and 7b). The surge elements 66 reduce sloshing movements of liquid in the housing 12.

[0065] The liquid separator 10 operates as follows:

[0066] A gas-liquid mixture, from which liquid is to be separated, is fed to the liquid separator 10 via the inlet 14. Liquid which already collects at the inlet 14 or in the separation device 20, e.g., water drops or a water film, can be fed via the drainage slot 25 to the interior, located outside the separation device 20, of the housing 12 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). This liquid can flow along the inner side of the wall 13 to the flow channel 42 or the gap 43.

[0067] The gas-liquid mixture enters the separation device 20 via the inlet 14. There, the gas-liquid mixture is guided through the fabric sections 21 and diverted thereby, as a result of which the gas-liquid mixture impinges on the inner side of the section 13, surrounding the separation device, of the wall 13 (cf. arrows P1 in FIG. 3; for the sake of clarity, shown only on one fabric section 21). As a result, liquid from the gas-liquid mixture impinges on the inner side of the wall portion 13, which gravity then causes to flow downwards towards the flow channel 42 or gap 43. This liquid passes via the flow channel 42 or the gap 43 and via the low-flow region 46 into the collecting region 44 (cf. FIGS. 1, 3, and 4).

[0068] The already partially dehumidified gas-liquid mixture or the partially dehumidified gas flow then flows in the direction of the diverting element 22 (cf. arrows P2 in FIG. 3) and undergoes a diversion through the latter and thus reaches the low-flow region 46. The large volume 46 of the low-flow region 46 reduces the flow rate (cf. FIG. 5). As a result of the reduction in the flow rate, liquid from the gas-liquid mixture is again separated there, e.g., in droplet form, which liquid then enters the collecting region 44 due to gravity (cf. drops 56 in FIG. 2).

[0069] In the low-flow region 46, the now further dehumidified gas-liquid mixture or the further dehumidified gas flow is diverted (cf. arrow 18 in FIG. 2 and arrows P3 in FIG. 4) and passes into the outlet region 26, where an outflow takes place via the outlet 16 (cf. FIG. 2 and arrows P4 in FIG. 5). Water drops 58, which impinge on the insert element 40, can pass through the slots 50 and thus reach the flow channel 42 or the gap 43, and can thus flow away towards the collecting region 44.